{"id":942,"date":"2021-12-04T12:40:08","date_gmt":"2021-12-04T16:40:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.activeagingcanada.ca\/blog\/?p=942"},"modified":"2021-12-04T12:52:47","modified_gmt":"2021-12-04T16:52:47","slug":"myths-about-exercise-and-aging","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.activeagingcanada.ca\/blog\/active-living\/myths-about-exercise-and-aging\/","title":{"rendered":"Myths About Exercise and Aging"},"content":{"rendered":"

By: Jan Cochrane, RN, BSN, CDE<\/strong><\/p>\n

People often pass along myths or misconceptions from one generation to the next. For instance, your mother may have told you it\u2019s important to wear clean underwear in case of an accident, something she probably learned from her mother. But nurses will tell you that no one in acute care–or anywhere for that matter–even notices something so trivial during the time of an accident!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here are some myths about exercise and aging that researchers have studied over the years and proven to be wrong:<\/p>\n

Myth #1: Older people shouldn\u2019t do demanding activities such as raking leaves or shovelling snow.<\/h2>\n

First of all, it is difficult to define \u201colder\u201d. There are some 50-year-olds who cannot keep up with 70-year- olds who have an active lifestyle. If you are generally active, doing heavier tasks shouldn\u2019t be a problem. However, if you haven\u2019t been active, start slow.\u00a0 Walking is always a safe way to start.<\/p>\n

The great ball player Satchel Paige (1906-1982) once asked this excellent question: \u201cHow old would you be if you didn’t know how old you was?”<\/p>\n

Myth #2: As you get older, you should avoid lifting heavier objects such as groceries.<\/h2>\n

Au contraire! This is the time to increase strength in the muscles by exercising at least twice a week. It can be as simple as carrying the laundry or climbing stairs. Remember: \u201cUse it or lose it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Myths<\/p>\n

Myth #3: Don\u2019t exercise if you have heart problems or high blood pressure.<\/h2>\n

Don\u2019t forget that your heart is a muscle that needs exercise just like all others! If you have had a recent heart attack, check out programs that guide you to getting exercise back into your life. You could be doing more harm by not moving.<\/p>\n

One last reminder: \u201cRunning late does not count as exercise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Learn more from these Active Aging Canada resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n